Brian Dee

Brian Colin Dee (born 21 March 1936, London, England) is an English jazz pianist and former musical director.^[1] He has worked with Irving Martin.

Dee came to prominence in 1959, playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Gerrard Street, London.^[1] At that time he was playing with Lennie Best, Dave Morse and Vic Ash.^[2]

He later joined the Jazz Five and played opposite Miles Davis on a nationwide tour and was voted Melody Maker's 'New Star of 1960'. He also appeared at the Establishment Club in 1962 where his trio played opposite Dudley Moore.^[1]

Throughout an uninterrupted career, Dee has played with many jazz musicians, including Ben Webster, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Benny Carter, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Chet Baker, Al Grey, Sonny Stitt, Victor Feldman and Joe Newman.^[1]

From the late 1960s onwards, Dee was in demand as a session musician, appearing on many orchestral recordings. Subsequently, he went on to play with the Ted Heath Orchestra, for the last 10 years of its existence under the direction of the late Don Lusher. Dee was also a member of Laurie Johnson's London Big Band.^[1]

Renowned as a fine accompanist to singers, Dee has recorded or appeared alongside Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Johnny Mercer, Elton John (Dee played organ and/or harmonium on four of John's early albums), Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mark Murphy, Cleo Laine and Annie Ross.^[1][3]

He was also musical director to Lita Roza, Cilla Black, Rosemary Squires, and Elaine Delmar.

Dee worked with Irving Martin on the theme for Return of the Saint. The title sequence was created for the show's beginning, and the prominent saxophone and synthesizer parts worked in with the animation parts.^[4]

In 1978, the Good Times album that Dee did with Irving Martin was released on Bruton Music BRG 4.^[5]

It was noted by The Cornish Times (Friday 18 August 2023) that the track "Funko" that Dee made with Irving Martin was at no. 21 on a recent playlist of Gary Jon's show on NBC Radio.^[6]